Dry Bag Co. · Waterproof Gear Storage Bags
Waterproof Duffel Bag
Skip until brand discloses coating chemistry or certifications.
Waterproof duffel bags typically use water-repellent coating coatings that may contain PFAS, but Dry Bag Co. provides no material or chemical transparency. Without disclosure or third-party verification, risk level is unclear.
The safe swap
Pelican
Pelican 1595 Air Travel Case
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its B.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Fabric with unspecified waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Dry Bag Co. duffel uses fabric with an unspecified waterproof coating. Most waterproof fabrics rely on either polyurethane (PU), silicone, wax, or fluorocarbon treatments. Fluorocarbon coatings are effective water repellents but often contain legacy PFAS or PFAS replacements that leach slowly into contact materials and sweat. Without disclosure from the brand, the actual chemistry remains opaque, making full risk assessment impossible.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dry Bag Co. has not publicly disclosed the waterproof coating chemistry, certifications (such as bluesign, Cradle to Cradle, or OEKO-TEX), or any commitment to PFAS-free alternatives. No recall history or contamination incidents are publicly documented for this brand. The silence on coating composition is a significant red flag in an industry where responsible manufacturers increasingly specify non-fluorinated options or third-party test results.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial waterproof duffels use fluorocarbon or polyurethane coatings; some premium brands (e.g., Patagonia) have begun phasing to PU-only or wax-coated natural fabrics with full disclosure. Dry Bag Co. sits in the middle of the market without transparency, making it harder to compare to either budget (often untested) or eco-certified peers. Price and warranty information would help contextualize the risk-benefit, but are not provided here.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged skin contact, especially if damp or warm (promotes leaching). Do not store food or cosmetics inside without a sealed inner container. Wipe exterior with a damp cloth rather than machine washing, which may degrade the coating and release particles. Before purchase, contact the brand directly and request the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the waterproofing agent; silence after 2 weeks is a valid reason to choose a competitor.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
PFAS and fluorinated coating leaching
Unspecified waterproof coating likely contains fluorocarbons or PFAS-based compounds; direct skin contact and sweat exposure over time may result in slow dermal absorption. Risk tier reflects lack of brand disclosure rather than confirmed contamination.
Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
Repeated washing, UV exposure, or mechanical wear of waterproof coatings can shed microscopic polymer fragments into sweat, water, or contact surfaces. Dry Bag Co. does not specify coating durability or replacement guidance.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
Waterproof polyurethane or solvent-applied coatings may emit low levels of solvents or catalysts during manufacturing and early use, particularly in warm or enclosed spaces. Off-gassing typically diminishes within days to weeks but is not quantified for this product.
Fabric treatment chemical residues
Base fabric may carry formaldehyde resins or azo dyes if not specified as natural fiber or organically grown. No documentation available for Dry Bag Co. duffels; assume standard textile processing unless certified otherwise.
Mold and bacterial growth from moisture retention
Waterproof coatings can trap moisture inside the bag if ventilation is poor, creating conditions for mold or odor-causing bacteria. Proper drying and periodic airing are essential to mitigate this non-chemical hazard.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Gear Storage Bags
Pelican
1595 Air Travel Case
Polypropylene shell, polyurethane foam, stainless steel hardware
Lower concern. Polypropylene case with no water-repellent treatment evident.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof gear storage bags grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.